Looking for suggestions on a 65 tall

[coralnoob22]

My 65 tall is 24" tall. I've been looking for a light/set of lights. Currently have a Fluval 3.0 Marine and I just feel as though I'm not seeing the growth I should. The Fluval just doesn't have the power/coverage. I'm looking into the more budget options, Noopsyche, Smatfarm, etc. because they include the mounting options.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Used t5 off facebook marketplace or halid

 

[littlebigreef]

I had a 65 tall I used for awhile. Agree with tossing some T5’s on there. You can then add an Orphek or reefbrite xho later.

Worked great, was able to keep keep lps on the bottom, sps throughout.

 

[coralnoob22]

I had a 65 tall I used for awhile. Agree with tossing some T5’s on there. You can then add an Orphek or reefbrite xho later.

Worked great, was able to keep keep lps on the bottom, sps throughout.

There's really no secondary market for reefing where I am, the closest city is 3 hours away. Why the preference towards T5's? I thought LED's are the better tech with all the programming and spectrum controls?

 

[littlebigreef]

There's really no secondary market for reefing where I am, the closest city is 3 hours away. Why the preference towards T5's? I thought LED's are the better tech with all the programming and spectrum controls?

LED tech was great for the hobby to move us away from dependency on halides in the early ‘00s. It allowed people to run smaller systems w/o the need for chillers.

However, it’s been my experience (and it’s my opinion) that modern stand alone led units are over priced, over engineered and don’t necessarily deliver what they promise. I’m not ragging on them collectively, but I don’t believe the long term ROI is there.

T5’s don’t create the ‘pop’ you get with some LED units but I’ve seen many excellent sps displays driven with 6, 8 bulb units. When you pair that with a Orphek or Reef brite XHO you get the growth T5’s encourage along with the aesthetic ‘pop’ of a led.

I run three systems, a 155 bow front (sps dominant), 125 display (euphyllia dominant) and a 180 gal zoa trough. I have this hybrid combination on all three. The modularity of diy t5 kits can’t be beat. Adding led strip(s) as you go is great for budget conscious folks. Across all three systems I have great growth, great color. The simple ‘on/off’ approach abides by the ‘KISS’ principle and (as my dad always says): ‘fewer points of articulation, fewer opportunities of failure.’

 

[oreo54]

36" t5 hybrid is $400 plus bulbs. Also ..no included mounts.

Current sale for an 8 tube 36" t5ho unit, 312 watts, $467
Replacement set of bulbs is $200. Recommended every 18 months or so.

https://aquacave.com/36-8x39w-ati-s...dePjfRKs-sSZemRhenLOgohAs4L6iYCBoC4cEQAvD_BwE
Cheap 4 tub-er..
156 watts.. w/ legs..

Odyssea T5 Quad 6500K Aquarium Fish Light HO LED Freshwater Plant 36​

$89.95

New

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My 65 tall is 24" tall. I've been looking for a light/set of lights. Currently have a Fluval 3.0 Marine and I just feel as though I'm not seeing the growth I should. The Fluval just doesn't have the power/coverage. I'm looking into the more budget options, Noopsyche, Smatfarm, etc. because they include the mounting options.

65 Gallon Aquarium: 36 x 18 x 24 correct?
Current light?

Marine 3.0 Bluetooth LED, 46W, 36-48″ / 91-122 cm​

Framed or frameless?
Center brace or not?

You certainly have enough power with the above mentioned 8 tube t5 ATI fixture.
Probably too much power depending on what you want to cultivate.
Oh and no mounting included.





2 100W Nicrews would cost $155 each plus about $40 for the recommended controller.
So $350 200W.
Mounts included BUT not sure how they fit on a rimmed tank.

Upgrade to 2 150w units and you match the t5 8 tube in price and wattage.

Now regardless of "power/spectrum" (important but just one piece) you have other choices.
Pure t5 is wonderfully even lighting but static in look.
Once you go t5/hybrid to add the dynamic component (shimmer/3d shadows) you get less
"value" for your $ in a sense.

Check reviews.. I picked Nicrew just because its convenient and has one advantage in that it can interface w/0 -10v controllers. Means nothing to most people not running an Apex ect.

Could have easily been Smatfarms..
https://smat-farm.com/products/aqua...-with-master-slave-group-control-timer-screen
Please note the 1" limit on the clamp.

Ask 10 people get 10 suggestions.

Decide on your needs/wants first.
One hint though is decide on what you prefer in your overall viewing.
No sense buying a heavy blue centric light like a Red Sea if you prefer a "whiter" tank.
Whole point of say Radion pro vs blue.

 

[Doctorgori]

No sense buying a heavy blue centric light like a Red Sea if you prefer a "whiter" tank.

Agree…
I have 4 RL90s, they are rugged as heck ,but stink at tweaking/adjusting

I have a 65g also. Mine is lit by 3ea AI primes….LPS on the bottom of tank looking good

 

[littlebigreef]

@coralnoob22 as was pointed out, ask 10 people, get 10 different answers. To that I'd respond with: 'show me a full tank shot (fts) of your system' because proof is in the pudding.

There's many different approaches you can take to achieve your goals but I'd stress that you should strongly consider your goals before making the commitment of a purchase.

To extend, and close out, my thought brs has dropped the T5 retrofit kit but it is available through aquacave (seems like I've been buying a lot of equipment from them recently).

The kit is $95 and you'd need to assemble and mount it to something. My 65 had a wood hood, easy enough. Alternatively you can run 'L' brackets (mounted to wall studs) and use that as your platform along with a piece of 1/4" plywood cut to size.

From that point bulbs are usually $20 or so and need to be replaced every 15-18 months depending on usage.

The thing I DON'T like about LEDs is that we have no real way of knowing when the diode has passed its expected lifespan and is no longer producing useful light in the desired spectrum. Indeed, most folks just run them until the unit's driver or board goes. At least with T5s (and halides back in the day) you know when its time to replace.

Finally, I do run Reefbrite XHO units but Orphek are equally good. Orpheks are a bit more affordable for cost conscious folks. So, its possible, if you're on a budget, to drop in the T5, then add the LED later, or, acquire all the components per your monthly budget and then do the project all at once.

At the end of the day some people just want a light they can simply mount and be done with. I get and respect that too -

https://aquacave.com/36-2x39w-miro-...ouwUNl5nCFx4_sysqAAtSmazR78ntt_4aAqYbEALw_wcB

 

[Hooz]

I'm going to be the odd man out here and say, if you're happy with the way your current light looks and works, why not just add a second one? The Fluval Marine 3.0 has a nice spectrum for growing coral and highlighting fish color. If you need more light, just add another.